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Picture of The Butler's Bell
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Monday, 12th August 2024
With picture contributions to 12229 other pubs
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The Butler's Bell, Stafford

Pub added by Dale Miles
27 Gaolgate Street
Stafford
ST16 2NT
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of The Butler's Bell (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Will Larter left this review about The Butler's Bell

From the sub-Spoons across the road to this ex-Spoons was but a short walk. It was disappointing to find no cask beers on the bar, but the young man there told us it was expected to be back on Friday. Not much use to those of us who had made the journey to Stafford for a day's pub research, as I explained. Two gave up on the place while one went for a bottle of a Davenports beer from the fridge and I, along with the fifth member of the group, went for a keg beer from the same brewery. I found this undrinkable - cold and fizzy just like keg beer is reputed to be. I left two-thirds of my half pint when we left the pub, so no one can say I didn't have a drink. I would agree that I didn't have a very good drink, but that's a misfortune than could befall the best of us.

On 4th July 2024 - rating: 3
[User has posted 4274 recommendations about 3935 pubs]


Real Ale Ray left this review about The Butler's Bell

UPDATE March 2024

This former Wetherspoons was taken over by Davenports Brewery in Oct 2023. This large sports bar has the most wall mounted TV's I have ever seen. the pub has a total of 12 screens, 7 of which are in one line across the wall opposite the bar. I found looking at a bank of TV's like this very distracting. The staff were all efficient and wore the Davenports logo on their uniforms. Mostly a keg drinkers pub, but they did have one Davenports on handpump, which was fine, so someone must be going in for it.

Review dated 2016

This is a very trendy looking Spoons once inside. The bar area over on the left hand side was very retro with a multi coloured Perspex bar front, which was illuminated from the back. The counter top was moulded plastic in grey and the back bar was all dark stained timber. The lounge had stone cladded areas and a central modern looking gas fireplace and surround.
The four steel jail style booths were and may be a reminder that we were close to Stafford Prison.
The back section of the pub, near the patio had a modern art display of white shoes stacked up on top of one another, to symbolise that Stafford was once a shoe making town.
Service at the bar was random, in spite of a few locals on our Saturday morning visit, giving a stern look in case they thought you were pushing in.
Ale wise there were two banks of five pumps, so we went for the Slaters Top Totty, which was a good choice.

On 25th May 2024 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3646 recommendations about 3646 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Strongers . left this review about The Butler's Bell (JD Wetherspoon)

I’ve no idea why anyone would choose this Wetherspoons over the far superior Picture House at the other end of the high street, but many had because the Butler’s Bell was very busy during a recent late midweek afternoon visit. Most people seemed to be eating so maybe the food is better in here? Tim Martin seems to have made his choice though because there’s a for sale sign up on the wall out front. This is actually quite small for a Spoons, and I wasn’t a fan of the décor which includes some 1970’s crystal lights above the brown Perspex fronted bar counter that runs up the left wall. There’s standard seating by the entrance and at the rear. High tables run down the centre opposite the bar and some booths run along the right-hand wall. FA cup football was being advertised.
The bar counter supports standard and premium keg alongside two banks of five identical hand pumps. These were drawing Ruddles, Sharp’s Doom Bar, GK Abbot Ale, Black’s Irish Red and the Flack’s Irish Porter was off. A very disappointing line up, probably the worst I’ve seen in any Spoons. It certainly feels like this place is winding down when it comes to wet sales. I’ll not be visiting here again before it’s sold, which is no loss to me.

On 22nd March 2023 - rating: 4
[User has posted 5972 recommendations about 5938 pubs]


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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Alan Hurdle
Stafford, 0.45 miles, 8 min walk (show)
Norton Bridge, 5.61 miles, 1 hr 48 min walk (show)
Penkridge, 7.27 miles, 2 hr 20 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Butler's Bell, Stafford
12th Aug 2024, 14:15
Picture submitted by Will Larter approved
 
12th Aug 2024, 14:15
Picture submitted by Will Larter approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Beer Garden : Yes last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Car Park : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Child Friendly : Yes - Until 8 p.m. - last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Darts : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Dog Friendly : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Function Room : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Jukebox : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Karaoke : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Live Music : Yes last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Live TV Sports : Yes - Sky Sports/TNT. - last updated 25 May 2024 by Tris C
  • Micropub : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Pinball : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Pool Table : Yes last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Quiz Night : Yes - Mondays 20.00. - last updated 25 May 2024 by Tris C
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Real Cider : No last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 25 February 2024 by ROB Camra
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